Enlarged write-on golf ball for autographs

ABSTRACT

An autograph golf ball is a large diameter simulated golf ball with broad shallow dimples creating a smooth surface for writing on the exterior. A writable paint coating covers the exterior surface.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to accessories for sports memorabilia collectable items and in particular to an enlarged smoothed write-on golf ball for collecting autographs of golf personalities.

[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0004] It is a common practice to collect autographs of personalities in all fields including sports, and in particular golf. This is done is many cases for the love of the sport and the admiration of a particular sports figure and also for the value of the autograph as a collectable item. Having the autograph personally signed on a piece of sports equipment adds even more to the meaning, value, and display appeal of the autograph.

[0005] While it is possible to have a baseball player sign a baseball, a basketball player sign a basketball, a football player sign a football, a soccer player sign a soccerball and other sports figures sign balls or equipment related to their sports, it is not currently possible for a golf personality to sign a golf ball.

[0006] Golf balls are very small with deep indentations that break up the surface and a shiny exterior, all of which make it impossible to get an actual smooth autograph on a golf ball.

[0007] While attempts have been made to provide accessories to assist in gathering autographs in various sports, the golf autograph situation has not until now been addressed effectively.

[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 6,082,774, issued Jul. 4, 2000 to Schlauch, shows a golf ball with a special part of the surface for collecting a fingerprint. This is certainly not the same as an autograph and has security implications beyond that of an autograph, which does not necessarily have to be the same signature as the sports figure uses to sign checks and legal papers.

[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 5,3556,136, issued Oct. 18, 1994 to Ippolito, provides a baseball having a Velcro attached curved pen for collecting autographs.

[0010] Until now, no prior art has developed a means for collecting an actual smooth readable autograph on a golf ball.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] A primary object of the present invention is to provide a write-on golf ball for collecting autographs.

[0012] A related object of the present invention is to provide an enlarged golf ball to create a surface with a broader and smoother curve than a conventional small golf ball, thereby providing a large smoother curved surface upon which to write.

[0013] Another related object of the present invention is to provide dimples which are very shallow to smooth out the surface of an enlarged golf ball to facilitate writing into and out of the dimples in a smooth transition without interrupting the autograph signing.

[0014] An additional related object of the present invention is to provide a painted surface of a golf ball which is designed especially to be written on and pick up all of the ink of the writing implement for a complete smooth and permanent autograph.

[0015] One more object of the present invention is to provide a means for collecting golf personality autographs which is attractive for display purposes and will show the autograph clearly in the display.

[0016] In brief, an enlarged golf ball is preferably 4-8½ inches in diameter and weighs 1-2½ pounds with large shallow dimples (preferably at least ¼-¾ inch in diameter and ⅛ inches or less in depth). The golf ball is fabricated by a molding process, preferably of a polyresin and the surface of the autograph golf ball is painted with an ink receptive paint, such as an oil base paint with a slight shine to simulate a golf ball. The ball may be painted a color to match any of the colors normally used in golf balls, with white being preferred.

[0017] An advantage of the present invention is that a golf personality will be much more willing to autograph this enlarged golf ball for autographs because it is easy to write on and produces an attractive autograph.

[0018] Another advantage of the present invention is that it enables the collection of an authentic unbroken autograph of a golf personality.

[0019] An additional advantage of the present invention is that it provides an attractive and sports related means for displaying an authentic autograph.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] These and other details of my invention will be described in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are furnished only by way of illustration and not in limitation of the invention, and in which drawings:

[0021]FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of the enlarged autograph golf ball of the present invention showing the autographs written smoothly thereon;

[0022]FIG. 2 is a sectional diagrammatic view of a surface of the present invention of FIG. 1 showing the shallow depth of a dimple smoothing out the surface of the autograph golf ball;

[0023]FIG. 3 is a sectional diagrammatic view of a surface of a prior art conventional golf ball of FIG. 4 showing the deep depth of a dimple breaking up the surface of the conventional golf ball;

[0024]FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of a prior art conventional golf ball showing the relative small size of the conventional golf ball compared with the enlarged autograph golf ball of FIG. 1.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0025] In FIGS. 1 and 2, an autograph golf ball 20 for collecting autographs on the outer surface comprises a sphere simulating a golf ball. The sphere has a diameter (preferably 4-8½ inches) producing a circumference sufficiently large and with a sufficiently shallow curve to make the surface capable of receiving a smoothly written autograph 25 signed by hand on the outer surface of the autograph golf ball 20.

[0026] The autograph golf ball has spaced dimples 22 over its surface simulating the dimples of a conventional golf ball (shown in FIG. 4 illustrating the relative comparative size of the conventional golf ball compared with the autograph golf ball of FIG. 1). As seen in FIG. 2 each of the dimples 22 has a depth sufficiently shallow (preferably less than ⅛ inch and a diameter of ¼-¾ inch) to enable a writer to write a smooth autograph with a writing implement moving over the surface of the sphere into and out of the dimples smoothly without interrupting the autograph signing. The autograph golf ball 20 has an outer surface 23 capable of receiving a writing media applied thereto for the purpose of creating a legible autograph on the outer surface, the autograph golf ball surface preferably being painted with a calcium carbonate based coating or an oil based paint.

[0027] The autograph golf ball is molded of a polyresin or other moldable material creating a durable and relatively firm surface upon which to write.

[0028] It is understood that the preceding description is given merely by way of illustration and not in limitation of the invention and that various modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention as claimed. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An autograph golf ball for collecting autographs on the outer surface, the autograph golf ball comprising: a sphere simulating a golf ball, the sphere having a diameter and circumference sufficiently large to make the surface capable of receiving a smoothly written autograph signed by hand on the outer surface of the sphere, the sphere having spaced dimples over its surface simulating the dimples of a conventional golf ball, each of the dimples having a depth sufficiently shallow to enable a writer to write a smooth autograph with a writing implement moving over the surface of the sphere into and out of the dimples smoothly without interrupting the autograph signing, the sphere having an outer surface capable of receiving a writing media applied thereto for the purpose of creating a legible autograph on the outer surface.
 2. The autograph golf ball of claim 1 wherein the diameter of the autograph golf ball is at least four inches.
 3. The autograph golf ball of claim 1 wherein the depth of each of the dimples is not more than ⅛ inch.
 4. The autograph golf ball of claim 1 wherein the diameter of each of the dimples is greater than ¼ inch.
 5. The autograph golf ball of claim 1 wherein the surface is coated with a calcium carbonate based coating.
 6. The autograph golf ball of claim 1 wherein the surface is coated with an oil based paint.
 7. The autograph golf ball of claim 1 wherein the sphere is molded of a polyresin. 